2121 replies to this topic

[Righty007]

Anyway thanks for posting the link to it Righty007 as it made me go out and get it.

[Loomis]

I also think IFP has already a fairly good idea on whose door to knock after Deaver's.

At some point they really should knock on Charlie Higson's door. Be sort of tragic if he never got a shot at an adult Bond novel. He would no doubt deliver a fantastic book.

Aw, but first Charlie has to deliver Older-But-Still-Fairly-Young-Fettes-Bond, doesn't he?

No, I think Higson really is a given at some point. I wouldn't worry about that, some day it's going to happen. Perhaps even sooner than we think.

Likewise, if Deaver had already signed for a longer run, we'd know about this already, no use keeping mum about it. There may be an option, but I feel sure even a spectacular success would still mean a second Deaver Bond would be years in the future. Perhaps even with an altogether new name in Bonds picking up in between.

We're moving onto the next author already are we?

I'm hoping for a few books by Deaver. At least three.

I also think IFP has already a fairly good idea on whose door to knock after Deaver's.

My guess would be somebody that did an introduction for the 2006 Penguin reprints...

CASINO ROYALE - Jeffery Deaver
LIVE AND LET DIE - Louise Welsh
MOONRAKER - Michael Dibdin
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - Jonathan Kellerman
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - Charlie Higson
DR NO - Simon Winder
GOLDFINGER - Ben Schott
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - Barry Eisler
THUNDERBALL - David Wolstencroft
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - Nick Stone
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - Val McDermid
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - Mo Hayder
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - Charles Cumming
OCTOPUSSY/THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS - Robert Ryan

We already speculated along that line for the centenary. Wish IFP had picked among those for 2008.

Well, in that case my pick would have been Simon Winder. I've no idea whether he's ever written a novel, but in THE MAN WHO SAVED BRITAIN he spews so much amusing bile at both the Bond books and the Bond films that it would be fascinating to read his own attempt at a 007 adventure. Other than in some of Jim's vintage posts, I've never seen Bond slated so entertainingly.

I also think Charles Cumming could do a first-rate Bond novel (his recent TYPHOON is a most enjoyable read).

[Brisco]

On the premature subject of the NEXT author, honestly my top choice would be our own Jeremy Duns. While the main character certainly isn't that Bondian, Free Agent felt like the novel Devil May Care should have been! But I agree that it's far more likely they'll choose from that list of introduction writers.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I also think IFP has already a fairly good idea on whose door to knock after Deaver's.

At some point they really should knock on Charlie Higson's door. Be sort of tragic if he never got a shot at an adult Bond novel. He would no doubt deliver a fantastic book.

Aw, but first Charlie has to deliver Older-But-Still-Fairly-Young-Fettes-Bond, doesn't he?

No, I think Higson really is a given at some point. I wouldn't worry about that, some day it's going to happen. Perhaps even sooner than we think.

Likewise, if Deaver had already signed for a longer run, we'd know about this already, no use keeping mum about it. There may be an option, but I feel sure even a spectacular success would still mean a second Deaver Bond would be years in the future. Perhaps even with an altogether new name in Bonds picking up in between.

My apologies if this gets anyone's hopes up unnecessarily, but reading this has just reminded me of something I had read about Jeffery Deaver in the past year (sorry I can't remember what or when although it was likely in USA Today). But if my memory is correct, the article said he was going to turn his Kathryn Dance character into a series and that it would alternate every other year with his Lincoln Rhyme series with the odd non-series book in-between.

Now initially upon the Deaver announcement I had forgotten about that so when someone posed the question of whether he could possibly be doing more than one 007 novel, I didn't think he could do those two series AND a stint as James Bond author. That would be quite a lot to undertake in a calendar year more than once. But now that I have remembered that article, I think he could very easily squeeze Bond into his schedule after all with Bond being that non-series book in-between.

Just think of that scenario when combined with his Twitter statement which said that he was "Very honored that the Ian Fleming board has chosen me to be the new writer of the James Bond series!" Note that he said "new writer of the James Bond series" rather than that he was "writing the next James Bond novel."

I may be reading too much into all this, but I now think it very likely that he WILL write more than one Bond novel.

[zencat]

Nice detective work there, double-Oh Agent. Intrigued that he said "series" on Twitter. Didn't really catch that.

[Righty007]

I also think IFP has already a fairly good idea on whose door to knock after Deaver's.

At some point they really should knock on Charlie Higson's door. Be sort of tragic if he never got a shot at an adult Bond novel. He would no doubt deliver a fantastic book.

Aw, but first Charlie has to deliver Older-But-Still-Fairly-Young-Fettes-Bond, doesn't he?

No, I think Higson really is a given at some point. I wouldn't worry about that, some day it's going to happen. Perhaps even sooner than we think.

Likewise, if Deaver had already signed for a longer run, we'd know about this already, no use keeping mum about it. There may be an option, but I feel sure even a spectacular success would still mean a second Deaver Bond would be years in the future. Perhaps even with an altogether new name in Bonds picking up in between.

My apologies if this gets anyone's hopes up unnecessarily, but reading this has just reminded me of something I had read about Jeffery Deaver in the past year (sorry I can't remember what or when although it was likely in USA Today). But if my memory is correct, the article said he was going to turn his Kathryn Dance character into a series and that it would alternate every other year with his Lincoln Rhyme series with the odd non-series book in-between.

On his Wikipedia page, it says he discussed that on The Early Show in 2006. There's already been 3 Kathryn Dance novels. I'm not saying that this "news" isn't still relevant but a lot can happen in 4 years...

[Double-Oh Agent]

Thanks zen.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night regarding Project X.

Now this is unlikely, but it is kind of interesting. What if X stands for the Roman numeral 10? With the hiring of Jeffery Deaver, that would also happen to be the total number of authors who have undertaken a James Bond literary project.

I. Ian Fleming
II. Kingsley Amis
III. John Pearson
IV. Christopher Wood
V. John Gardner
VI. Raymond Benson
VII. Charlie Higson
VIII. Samantha Weinberg
IX. Sebastian Faulks
X. Jeffery Deaver

Coincidence? I think not.

[Righty007]

Thanks zen.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night regarding Project X.

Now this is unlikely, but it is kind of interesting. What if X stands for the Roman numeral 10? With the hiring of Jeffery Deaver, that would also happen to be the total number of authors who have undertaken a James Bond literary project.

I. Ian Fleming
II. Kingsley Amis
III. John Pearson
IV. Christopher Wood
V. John Gardner
VI. Raymond Benson
VII. Charlie Higson
VIII. Samantha Weinberg
IX. Sebastian Faulks
X. Jeffery Deaver

Coincidence? I think not.

That's brilliant!

But you forgot about R. D. Mascott!

[terminus]

Nice detective work there, double-Oh Agent. Intrigued that he said "series" on Twitter. Didn't really catch that.

Actually, when you look at it, I'm not sure it does suggest he's going to write more than one novel, just that IFP clearly intend Project X to be the first in a line of Bond novels.

[whiteskwirl]

Actually, when you look at it, I'm not sure it does suggest he's going to write more than one novel, just that IFP clearly intend Project X to be the first in a line of Bond novels.

It would be neat if they released a book every year, each time with a different author.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Nice detective work there, double-Oh Agent. Intrigued that he said "series" on Twitter. Didn't really catch that.

Actually, when you look at it, I'm not sure it does suggest he's going to write more than one novel, just that IFP clearly intend Project X to be the first in a line of Bond novels.

That's how I interpret it as well.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Thanks zen.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night regarding Project X.

Now this is unlikely, but it is kind of interesting. What if X stands for the Roman numeral 10? With the hiring of Jeffery Deaver, that would also happen to be the total number of authors who have undertaken a James Bond literary project.

I. Ian Fleming
II. Kingsley Amis
III. John Pearson
IV. Christopher Wood
V. John Gardner
VI. Raymond Benson
VII. Charlie Higson
VIII. Samantha Weinberg
IX. Sebastian Faulks
X. Jeffery Deaver

Coincidence? I think not.

That's brilliant!

But you forgot about R. D. Mascott!

Thanks Righty.

However, I didn't forget about Mascott. I just don't count him as an official James Bond author as he wrote about James Bond Jr.

[Righty007]

Thanks zen.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night regarding Project X.

Now this is unlikely, but it is kind of interesting. What if X stands for the Roman numeral 10? With the hiring of Jeffery Deaver, that would also happen to be the total number of authors who have undertaken a James Bond literary project.

I. Ian Fleming
II. Kingsley Amis
III. John Pearson
IV. Christopher Wood
V. John Gardner
VI. Raymond Benson
VII. Charlie Higson
VIII. Samantha Weinberg
IX. Sebastian Faulks
X. Jeffery Deaver

Coincidence? I think not.

That's brilliant!

But you forgot about R. D. Mascott!

Thanks Righty.

However, I didn't forget about Mascott. I just don't count him as an official James Bond author as he wrote about James Bond Jr.

I wouldn't have included him either even though he was commissioned by Glidrose.

[zencat]

Hey, that's pretty clever. Maybe too clever.

[Jeff007]

Remember, in archeology, "X" never marks the spot.

[George88]

Interesting that they have dropped the period setting - whatever Devil May Care's other attributes for good or evil, that was one that (I thought) succeeded.

Still, literary Bond motors on and I like the idea of getting big name authors to write the odd one here and there.

[hcmv007]

I will buy the book of course, but haven't had time to read all the posts. Is this going to be set in modern times or in the Cold War era? Hoping for the former not the latter.

[Righty007]

I will buy the book of course, but haven't had time to read all the posts. Is this going to be set in modern times or in the Cold War era? Hoping for the former not the latter.

It's going to be set in the present day.

[hcmv007]

I will buy the book of course, but haven't had time to read all the posts. Is this going to be set in modern times or in the Cold War era? Hoping for the former not the latter.

It's going to be set in the present day.

Awesome! Thanks!

[Trident]

Well, in that case my pick would have been Simon Winder. I've no idea whether he's ever written a novel, but in THE MAN WHO SAVED BRITAIN he spews so much amusing bile at both the Bond books and the Bond films that it would be fascinating to read his own attempt at a 007 adventure. Other than in some of Jim's vintage posts, I've never seen Bond slated so entertainingly.

I also think Charles Cumming could do a first-rate Bond novel (his recent TYPHOON is a most enjoyable read).

Winder seems not to be into fiction/novels, so it's unlikely he'll get a shot. But I agree about Cumming, very good at his espionage. I also can recommend A SPY BY NATURE and THE SPANISH GAME.

But I'm perfectly happy with the prospect of Deaver. I even welcome the crime/thriller emphasis of his work, an element that could blend very well with Bond. I'm eager now to get my teeth into GARDEN OF BEASTS to get an idea of what Deaver comes up with when faced with a political intrigue thriller.

[zencat]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Garden of Beasts is on the way to me now. Looking forward to reading. Also looking forward to seeing Deaver when he comes through LA on his book tour next month.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Garden of Beasts is on the way to me now. Looking forward to reading. Also looking forward to seeing Deaver when he comes through LA on his book tour next month.

I am up to chapter 12 of Garden of Beasts, wont give anything away. So far so good and it's exciting. He knows how to write a thriller.

[Trident]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Yep, let's enjoy Deaver for now, everything in its good time.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Yep, let's enjoy Deaver for now, everything in its good time.

Agree, plenty of interest to discuss about Jeffery Deaver. Has anyone read much of his work? Be nice if Spynovelfan was about, although I know he is busy writing his new Novel, but it's just nice to get someone in the fields views so to speak.

[Trident]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Yep, let's enjoy Deaver for now, everything in its good time.

Agree, plenty of interest to discuss about Jeffery Deaver. Has anyone read much of his work? Be nice if Spynovelfan was about, although I know he is busy writing his new Novel, but it's just nice to get someone in the fields views so to speak.

This is really a bit weird, Deaver is on my Amazon wish list since we speculated he could be a candidate for 2008. I just never came around to ordering him (I try to keep away from following too many series, but wanted to start with Rhyme, whom I understand to be a version (of a kind) of IRONSIDE).

Only last week I decided to give GARDEN OF BEASTS a try and ordered it. Shortly before Deaver was announced. Strange, isn't it?

[DAN LIGHTER]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Yep, let's enjoy Deaver for now, everything in its good time.

Agree, plenty of interest to discuss about Jeffery Deaver. Has anyone read much of his work? Be nice if Spynovelfan was about, although I know he is busy writing his new Novel, but it's just nice to get someone in the fields views so to speak.

This is really a bit weird, Deaver is on my Amazon wish list since we speculated he could be a candidate for 2008. I just never came around to ordering him (I try to keep away from following too many series, but wanted to start with Rhyme, whom I understand to be a version (of a kind) of IRONSIDE).

Only last week I decided to give GARDEN OF BEASTS a try and ordered it. Shortly before Deaver was announced. Strange, isn't it?

You must have a Sixth Sense Trident. Let me know what you make of it. I intend to read plenty of his work. The Ironside style book sounds very intresting.

[Trident]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Yep, let's enjoy Deaver for now, everything in its good time.

Agree, plenty of interest to discuss about Jeffery Deaver. Has anyone read much of his work? Be nice if Spynovelfan was about, although I know he is busy writing his new Novel, but it's just nice to get someone in the fields views so to speak.

This is really a bit weird, Deaver is on my Amazon wish list since we speculated he could be a candidate for 2008. I just never came around to ordering him (I try to keep away from following too many series, but wanted to start with Rhyme, whom I understand to be a version (of a kind) of IRONSIDE).

Only last week I decided to give GARDEN OF BEASTS a try and ordered it. Shortly before Deaver was announced. Strange, isn't it?

You must have a Sixth Sense Trident. Let me know what you make of it. I intend to read plenty of his work. The Ironside style book sounds very intresting.

I'm not sure the Lincoln Rhyme/Chief Ironside comparison really is valid (and, if so, what its particular significance would be). It just struck me as odd to create a main character whose most prominent attribute would be his maximal immobility, something to the best of my knowledge was only paralleled by that old IRONSIDE tv series.

But then again, the basic aim and intention could have been to have an excuse for a primarily cerebral character in the Sherlock Holmes mould? And spread the different elements of the thriller hero on a team of characters (a favourite idea of mine)?

Anyway, I'll start on the Rhyme series now, once I've read GARDEN OF BEASTS.

[Brisco]

Thanks zen.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night regarding Project X.

Now this is unlikely, but it is kind of interesting. What if X stands for the Roman numeral 10? With the hiring of Jeffery Deaver, that would also happen to be the total number of authors who have undertaken a James Bond literary project.

I. Ian Fleming
II. Kingsley Amis
III. John Pearson
IV. Christopher Wood
V. John Gardner
VI. Raymond Benson
VII. Charlie Higson
VIII. Samantha Weinberg
IX. Sebastian Faulks
X. Jeffery Deaver

Coincidence? I think not.

I like it!

[Brisco]

I think speculating about the next author is a little silly (even tacky). We just got Deaver! You guys are as bad as the "who will be Bond 7" crowd.

Garden of Beasts is on the way to me now. Looking forward to reading. Also looking forward to seeing Deaver when he comes through LA on his book tour next month.

I disagree completely, Zen! It's part of the fun of all the Project X speculation. After all, Charlie Higson said that there were two projects in development, and he didn't know which one was X. That means that there may well be another announcement before we even get Deaver's book! The whole fun of teasing something as "Project X" and making it mysterious is that we all get to speculate on it like we're doing here, and part of that speculation is, as has been widely evidenced, asking questions like, "Is this a one-off, or part of a series? If it's a one off, does that mean that there will be multiple authors writing Bond books that continue from it? Or each doing their own thing?" As someone who clearly enjoys those games as much as anyone here, I'm surprised to hear you of all people cutting off any such avenue of speculation, Zen!

All that said, I agree it's premature, but I'm still eager to read anyone's thoughts on the subject! As with any of the many other mysteries surrounding Project X...

[Trident]

After all, Charlie Higson said that there were two projects in development, and he didn't know which one was X. That means that there may well be another announcement before we even get Deaver's book!

Wouldn't that be a bit out of character for IFP, to flood us with projects? The current policy suggests, scarcity is the key to success. Provided the second secret project Higson hinted at is indeed a major one, sporting new and original content, I'd be surprised if we learned more about it before PROJECT X has hit the shelves. Maybe not even for some time after, depending on the response to Deaver's book.